Docking problems

Troller · 10-16-2002, 08:10 AM

Last saturday I was out salmon fishing west point in seattle. Upon returning to the dock their were 2-3 foot wind waves. To add to this their is alot of boat traffic. Big boats including ferries and container ships adding to the waves. I approached the dock keeping it on my port side allowing so I would drift torward it as that was the way the wind was blowing. Well the dock is about 3 feet off my port side boat drops down into wave then comes back up and slams the front side of boat against dock hard. I immeadiatly gunned it for a second and steered the front away from the dock. We were then right where I needed to be and jumped out and held the boat off. I quess my question is how would you all have done it. I started to think afterword that I should have taken to other side of dock. If I had done that I would have to fight the wind to keep it close enough to dock. I was originally going to do this but another boat was attemping to drive his boat on the trailer after trying to pull it on and dropping the bow rope in the water. It was quite funny watching that show. He probably had a laught at me I hit pretty hard. I usually drive my boat on but in the wind I figured we would have more control of it on the dock and using a boat hook and the ropes. Nothing like looking like a rookie out their even tho I am. I have had a boat for many years just a small one going from 12 foot to 26 foot this year was a big jump and learning curve.

Miss B Haven · 10-16-2002, 08:25 AM

Troller - I'm pretty sure that's why they put those things called "rub rails" on boats. It's going to happen some times. All I can think of is maybe you could have stood off the dock for a while and waited out the wakes. Just like coming in over the bar, they usually come in series and if you're patient you can find a window. :grin:

OH ya - one more thing, fenders, fenders and more fenders (great big ones too!) Just can't have to many fenders out some times!

[ 10-16-2002, 09:25 AM: Message edited by: Miss B Haven ]

10-16-2002, 09:07 AM

It sounds like a break water would help too.

corrirod · 10-16-2002, 09:21 AM

Not sure there is much you can do in situations like that. I guess I'd say the same as above:

1. Wait the waves out.
2. Use fenders to cushion the blow.
3. Drive at the dock and drop someone off of the bow to "catch" you when you come in.
4. Other than that, you could buy a steel hulled boat! :grin:

Troller · 10-16-2002, 09:32 AM

I have been muling this over for days. The boat is aluminum .190 sides so no dent but scuffed up the paint. a nice breakwater would be nice .

Deepslayer · 10-16-2002, 12:57 PM

It's going to happen eventually! "The best laid plans of man are soon wrought awry." After the first scuff or two then you can fully relax and enjoy the boat more.

,Ed

Threemuch · 10-16-2002, 02:53 PM

I don't even use bumpers for just that reason. My gelcoat has some dings, but hell, it's a fishing boat! I didn't buy it for the looks, I bought it to slay fish.

As far as kissing the dock, if nothing broke, you didn't kiss it too hard.
KB

Pilar · 10-17-2002, 07:56 AM

I am not familiar with that port. As a rule approach the dock into the wind. That way you wont get blown into the dock. Power up to the dock at a slow speed and coast the last 10 feet in neutral. I usually approach at an almost parallel to the dock. When you get close turn the wheel towards the dock and go to reverse. This will pull the stern towards the dock as your momentum brings the bow to it.

Waves and wakes are a different story. Wait them out if possible. Or approach from the shore side of the dock if you can get there. This problem is common on the lower Willamette and the Columbia in the Portland - Vancouver area. Every time I slam into the dock I wince a little and then remember that the gel coat damage will soon be camoflaged in blood :grin: .

Kurt has a good point. A fishin boat takes a beating if it is used religiously. Both sides of 'Pilar' have their share of dock rash.

GutZ · 10-17-2002, 02:35 PM

Troller;
Use the sling at Magnolia!

Troller · 10-17-2002, 11:09 PM

At first I was going to pull up headed into the wind. Problem was the guy trying to drive his boat onto his trailer and was missing it and backing up and all over the place fighting the waves. I still get anxios when I am pulling into a docking situation. I have got over the launching bit and dont worry about that anymore. Unless it is a really tight area. I figure boat and truck a xcab fullsize is about 50 -55 feet total lengh. I am still learning to relax and not sweat it. Most days their would have been blood to cover it up but this was a slow one with only 5 crabs to show for 10 hours on the water. sometimes I wish I would have never got the boat painted and somedays when cleaning I wish it all were painted. thanks for the input guys. I am talking to my uncle down in mcmillan about coming down their one of these days in fishing in your neck of the woods maybe I will see you out their.

Sensei-san · 10-17-2002, 11:11 PM

Troller, Just remember:

" There are captains that have crashed the dock and those that will."

:grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin: :grin:

10-17-2002, 11:21 PM

S-s,
You reminded me of when the 1st mate of the Matanuska swung the stern of the ferry hard into the dock in Sitka and snaped a king piling :depressed: .
And this was a pro with thousands of hours at the helm.

Sensei-san · 10-17-2002, 11:31 PM

I was wondering why all the locals showed up in Sitka to see the ferry land and how the dent in the boat got there. Just kidding.

But it always is fun to go down to the launch ramp on the opening day or early in the fishing season. It's always good for laughs. Especially when a new boater does something really stupid.

You can figure out fairly quickly which boater will continue boating and which will have their boat for sale before the end of the season. Usually it's the ones that scream at the kids or wife.